How can I throw a green New Year’s party?

Everyone, it seems, is ready to say buh-bye to nasty, old 2009. Why not celebrate the new year and the earth by throwing an eco-friendly affair? Read on for some tips on how to send 2009 on its way in green style.

Glassware. Plastic Champagne flutes are not only a crime against your palate but also the planet. The good news is you can buy a six-pack of glass Svalka flutes at Ikea for just $5. If you’re having a large party, it will cost you about $40 for 48 glasses.

While that might sound pricey, consider this: A pack of 50 plastic Champagne flutes on amazon.com costs around $20 and will quickly end up in the landfill, whereas glass flutes can be reused year after year. So while it costs more in the short run, you’ll save money — and help the environment — over time.

Plates. You can go with the real ceramic plates, but getting 40 or 50 dinner plates is a lot more expensive than procuring stemware on the cheap. Another green option is to buy plates that are compostable or biodegradable.

You might want to try Earth Shell plates, which are made from potato starch, limestone and other natural sources. You can find them online at earthshell.com for $36 for 240 plates and at local Smart & Final stores. According to the company, the plates will break down in commercial composts, so the catch is you’ll need to find one locally. (Earth911.com is a good resource for finding commercial composters and recycling centers.)

Another alternative is to buy Stalk Market’s plates, which are made from sugar cane fiber and can break down in a home composter. You can buy them online at amazon.com for around $36 for 300 plates.

There’s also biodegradable flatware made of potato starch and vegetable oil at branchhome.com. A pack with 50 spoons, 50 knives and 50 forks costs around $14.

Decorations. Make your own confetti by taking a hole punch to your old newspapers and other scrap paper from around the house. You can also use scissors to make the confetti — it’s faster but obviously produces less uniform pieces.

Use soy candles to create ambience. Avoid paraffin candles as they are petroleum-based and produce environmentally damaging soot.

Also ditch the kitschy hats and noisemakers. Some heartfelt yelps and good, old-fashioned glass clinking should provide plenty of noise and cheer.

Food. When it comes to the food, keep it simple and keep it local by offering up menu items made from nearby farms, which you can find at San Diego County’s many farmers markets. Most grocery stores now highlight locally grown items, too.

Beer. Reduce your carbon footprint by buying local brews like AleSmith Speedway Stout, which is made in San Diego and is consistently ranked one of the top beers in the world. Other good choices are The Angel’s Share strong ale by The Lost Abbey in San Marcos and Elemental Pilsner from Poway’s Lightning Brewery.

Bubbly. If you are looking for the sparkly stuff, opt for local, organic or biodynamic choices. (Biodynamic practices include wines being made in their own ecosystem, using water that is already on the land as well as manure from animals who live on the vineyard.)